Method for producing spagyric essences from plants

Abstract

A method for producing spagyric essences in the form of standardized products with defined alcohol contents in respect to the dried residue of plants used in said method. The components of a spagyric essence which are important from the spagyric point of view--fermentation alcohol, volatile aromatic substances and soluble mineral salts--are obtained totally and in pure form. The production process is distinguished by a way to prepare the yeast fermentation which prevents the development of undesirable micro-organisms, by gentle vacuum distillation, by complete incineration with exhaustive extraction of the mineral substances and by different methods for removing impurities which were also extracted. Spagyric essences or primary tinctures are used as medicaments in human and veterinary medicine.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for producing spagyric essences from fresh or dried plants or parts of plants comprising: determining a dry mass (M·T) of plant material to be used;   establishing the amount of an end product (U) based upon said dry mass of said plant material, thereby setting the amount of an intermediate product (F1) of a first fraction of a distillation and the amount of carbohydrates required for the method;   comminuting said plant material and forming a mixture of at least one fermentable carbohydrate dissolved in water, yeast and said comminuted plant material;   stirring said mixture initially to at least cover said comminuted plant material with water, and thereafter at least once a day until the comminuted plant material is completely fermented, at a temperature adapted to the yeast employed, forming a fermented mass;   distilling said fermented mass in vacuo, collecting two fractions therefrom, the first fraction containing the total amount of alcohol from the fermentation and the second fraction comprising the portion of the distillate remaining after collection of the first fraction, and forming a distillation residue;   adding alcohol to said first fraction in an amount to provide between about 10% to about 80% alcohol content in the end product (U);   drying, burning and completely incinerating said distillation residue at a temperature between about 300° C. to about 700° C., forming an ash comprising at least one soluble mineral salt;   extracting all of said at least one soluble mineral salt from said ash with a solvent producing purified salt extracts, recombining and drying said purified salt extracts while removing impurities from said extracts forming dried salts;   dissolving the dried salts in a first portion of said first fraction forming a purified salt solution, and filtering off any miscellaneous deposits which have been formed;   mixing said purified salt solution with the remaining portion of the first fraction, forming a purified salt mixture; and   adding a sufficient amount of said second fraction to said purified salt mixture so that the entire amount of said purified salt mixture with said second fraction corresponds to the predetermined amount of the end product.   
     
     
       2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fermentable carbohydrate is sucrose. 
     
     
       3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fermentable carbohydrate is honey. 
     
     
       4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said solvent is distilled water. 
     
     
       5. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the recombined and dried salt extracts are again dissolved by boiling in an additional amount of said distilled water, a miscellaneous deposit which is formed being filtered off and the solution dried. 
     
     
       6. A method in accordance with claim 5, the purified salt extracts are again dissolved by boiling in an additional portion of distilled water, a miscellaneous deposit which is formed being filtered off and the solution dried, said distillation, filtering and drying steps being repeated until all the purified salt extracts dissolve clearly when boiled in said distilled water, after which said clear solution is finally dried. 
     
     
       7. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the recombined and dried salt extracts are calcined without slagging or melting prior to dissolving in said distilled water. 
     
     
       8. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein said distilled water used for the removal of impurities which has been extracted during salt extraction is replaced by a portion of said second fraction. 
     
     
       9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein a distilled vinegar obtained in excess from vinegar bacteria from alcoholic liquids is used;   the acid salt extracts are combined and dried in a vacuum;   the dried salts are dissolved in distilled water for the removal of a final residue of excess acetic acid and again dried in said vacuum; and   said dissolving and drying steps are repeated until the distillate reacts approximately neutral.   
     
     
       10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the dried salts, which have been freed of all excess acid, are dissolved in distilled water by boiling for the removal of impurities which were also extracted, a miscellaneous deposit which is formed being filtered off and the solution dried. 
     
     
       11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the salts are again dissolved by boiling in distilled water, a miscellaneous deposit which is formed being filtered off and the solution dried, and said dissolving, filtering and drying steps are repeated until all the salts dissolve clearly when boiled in distilled water, after which said clear solution is finally dried. 
     
     
       12. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the recombined and dried salt extracts are calcined without slagging or melting prior to dissolving in said distilled water. 
     
     
       13. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein said distilled water used for the removal of impurities which has been extracted during salt extraction is replaced by a portion of said second fraction.